THE Bishops of Carlisle and Penrith are hoping to meet plenty of people throughout the diocese when they undertake another Lent walk.

The two bishops will be making a St Andrew's cross shape across the Carlisle Diocese, starting tomorrow, Thursday (February 24) and finishing on March 5 and 6.

The Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev Graham Dow, is walking south east to north west, from Kirkby Lonsdale to Silloth, while the Bishop of Penrith, the Rt Rev James Newcome, is heading north east to south west from Nichol Forest to Millom.

Bishop Graham started the Lent walks when he walked right round the diocese, partly to help him get to know the area. He and Bishop James then undertook a joint walk, making an upright cross shape, with one going north to south and the other east to west.

Bishop James, who lives in Kendal, said the idea of the walk was to get out and about in the diocese and meet people. The pair will pray in churches, and be joined by others as they walk.

"The main purpose is to meet people, give various talks, sermons and addresses along the way, and simply to be part of the local community in a way which would not be possible if we were driving through.

"Along the way we stay with parishioners and have open meetings with groups of people in villages. It's not only walking, it's having meetings as well."

He added: "From our point of view it's to get to know both the area and the people, and from their point of view to have a chance to see us and talk to us in ways that otherwise would not be possible."

Both bishops enjoy walking so the event is not a hardship for them. Bishop James expects to cover between 130 and 140 miles.